Day 01:- Arrival at Paro and Transfer to Shana.
Our representative upon arrival at the airport will meet you and will drive you up to Drugyel Dzong where the road ends and the trek begins, following the river gently uphill through a narrowing agriculture valley. Initially you will pass through the serene pastoral life of the village with their dogs and children playing in the fields. Camp is just beyond an army post. Alt. 2800m. Distance 17 km, about 5-6 hours.
Day 02:- Shana - Soi Thangka
The trail ascends through the river valley. It narrows and closes in and the trail winds up and down along the drainage. Camp is just beyond an army post. Alt.2800m. Distance is about 21km, 7-8 hours.
Day 03:- Soi Thangkha - Jangothang
The trail climbs up the Pa Chu pass a small army post where the valley begins to widen out. Views of high ridge and snow-capped peaks are seen all around, and close by are yaks and yak-herders camps. Lunch will probably be served at one of the camps beneath a ruined fortress, at the base of Chomolhari. Altitude 4040 m distances 19 km, about 5-6 hours.
Day 04:- Jangothang - Lingshi
You will come across the yak pastures on the way up and down the pass. You will enjoy the great views of Lingshi Dzong as you come down Tserim Kang and its descending glaciers at the north end of the valley. Altitude 4150 m, distances 19 km, about 5-6 hrs.
Day 05: - Lingshi - Chebisa
An easy walk today- covering 19 km in about 5-6 hrs; there will be time to stroll around the village houses of Chebisa(Altitude:3850m) before resting at camp.
Day 06:- Chebisa - Shomuthang
The hike today is through wild and high altitude pastures, across Gobula pass (altitude 4350 m); camping at a bend overlooking the river -a tributary of the Mo chu that passes by Gasa Tsachu - hot springs; camp site altitude is about 4260 m after covering a distance of 17 km in 6 hours.
Day 07:- Shomuthang - Robluthang
Start off early today towards the Jarela Pass alt. 4600 m, crossing over to Tsharithang. It is possible to come across herds of the unique Takin grazing on the slopes. Distance covered is 15 km after about 5 hrs, campsite is at altitude of 4400m.
Day 08:- Robluthang - Lemithang
After crossing the Shingela Pass alt. 4900 m descends and skirts the valley towards Lemithang that falls within Laya district. Notice the unique dress worn by the Layaps - the high altitude cattle dependent, herders. Lemithang stands beneath the Great Tiger Mountain - Gangchenta. Depending on your time and interests 0 you can explore around for a day in these mountains. Overnight at camp alt 13,567 ft. Distance covered is 19 km in 6-7 hrs.
Day 09:- Lemithang - Laya
All down hill hike today along the winding river valley. Two paths lie before you- one leading to the army camp, the other stays high and reaches west side of Laya village- the path taken leads you to your camp site on a high plateau at alt 12680 ft with a distance of 10 km covered in about 4 hrs.
Day 10:- Laya (Halt)
Spend this day relaxing and taking in the natural habitat of the Laya people, visit the unique houses and learn of their unique ways of living. Depending on your interests, there could be arrangements for song and dance performed by the Laya folk by the campfire.
Day 11:- Laya- Koena
The trail winds up and down along the river valley, crossing natural obstacles and witnessing breathtaking views of water falls and swift streams. Camp at altitude 12,682 ft, distance covered is 19 km in about 7 hrs.
Day 12:- Koena - Gasa
Scaling the Belela Pass, altitude 12,267 ft, the trail descends untill you reach camp near the Gasa Dzong - altitude 9250 ft, distance of 17 km in 6-7 hrs.
Day 13:- Gasa - Gasa Tsachu
After a late-relaxed breakfast trek to Gasa Tsachu Hot springs. A good time to heal your body aches, sore feet and calves, simply relax in these natural hot spring used by the Bhutanese for all kinds of ailments and sickness. Overnight camp by the Hot Springs.
Day 14:- Gasa Tsachu- Geon Damji
For the botanists and natural life enthusiasts - the Gasa trek portion can be most thrilling and memorable experience; one passes through virgin forests of oak, pine, rhododendrons- exotic flowers and most colourful and varied butterflies- as if taken out of a romantic painting of nature; as you proceed down the valley- Gasa Dzong fades into the distance, in a shimmering play of light. Overnight camp at Goendamji altitude 2280m distance covered is 21km in about 7 hrs
Day 15:- Goendamji - Tashithang
The trail descends gradually into the lush semi-tropical warmth of the Punakha valley- where you find wild bananas, creepers, monkey and totally different vegetation from barely 2 days back. After about 17 km in 5-6 hrs we reach Tashithang where your pick-up crew may remind you of the 20 th century. Ride the dirt road to Punakha town.
Day 16:- Drive to Paro via Thimpu.
Day 17:- Departure |
